Celebrating 27 years

Transport

Opal is an electronic ticketing system, similar to Oyster in London or Octopus in Hong Kong. You only need to get an Opal card once, add value to it by topping up online or at 1,800 retailers, and then you’re ready to travel. Simply tap on a card reader at the start of each trip and tap off at the end. The Opal system will automatically deduct the correct fare from your card.

Travelling with Opal

To find out how you can explore Sydney, Newcastle; the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Hunter and Illawarra; using Opal visitDestination NSW for ideas.

You can also order an Opal card online or over the phone from 13 67 25 (13 OPAL) before you leave home. Delivery takes around 5-7 days.

Topping up your Opal card

You can add a one off top up from as little as $10 for an Adult, $2.50 for Gold Senior/Pensioner and $5 for a Concession or Child/Youth Opal card. Or go all out and add $120 for an Adult and $60 for a Concession or Child/Youth Opal card from one of our retailers.

Daily Travel Cap
You can travel on public transport all day, happy in the knowledge you won’t ever pay more than $15 for Adult, $2.50 for Gold Senior/Pensioner and $7.50 for Concession and Child/Youth Opal card holders.

$2.50 Sunday Cap
Make the most of sightseeing on Sundays anywhere from Nowra to Newcastle, or Blue Mountains to Bondi and only pay a maximum of $2.50.

Weekly Travel Cap
Opal can help you budget for your stay. No matter how much public transport you use within a week, you never pay more than $60 for Adult or $30 for Concession or Child/Youth Opal cards.

Weekly Travel Reward
If you’re here for around a week or longer you can earn free travel rewards. Simply complete 8 paid journeys in a week (from Monday to Sunday) and travel for the rest of the week is free. Find out more

$23 Airport Station Access Fee Cap
The Sydney Airport stations are owned by a private company that charges a Station Access Fee of $13.00 for Adult and $11.60 for Gold Senior/Pensioner, Concession and Child/Youth Opal card holders. With Opal, this fee is capped at $23 weekly for Adult and $20.50 for Gold Senior/Pensioner, Concession and Child/Youth Opal card holders.

Convenience and flexibility
With Opal you only need to get the card once then you can travel again and again on different types of public transport – and even change your mind along the way. Your fare is calculated automatically; all you need to do is tap on at the start of your journey and tap off at the end.